| NOVEMBER | To know Him and to make Him known | 2009 |
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******************************************************************************** THE BREAD OF LIFE – NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD!We cannot live by bread alone, but we can't live long without it.So when we have a chance to break bread together, let us give thanks to God. At the family table, enjoy the company of those around you. We change and we grow in a rhythm of closeness and distance that is rapid and frightening. Savor the bread of family as you experience it. At the impersonal table of a public place, enjoy the company of those with you and those who serve you. We can never be too civil to one another and we can never over-appreciate other peoples' service to our lives. Savor the bread of kindness from the hands of strangers. At the church tables where the family of faith gathers to catch up with each other, enjoy the company of fellow travelers on the way of faith. We can never know whether we'll be strength for them or whether we''ll be strengthened by them. Savor the bread of sharing the joy and burdens of life. At the Table of our Lord we gather with each other to remember him… and in the process to be re-membered into the Body of Christ we are called to be and that we sometimes lose sight of. We need the time at the Table to renew our calling and faithfulness. Savor the Bread of Life that we might become bread for the world. For the Bread of Life that we experience every time we sit at table… with family–strangers–partners on the road…the Lord, Now thank we all our God. NOVEMBER WORSHIPNovember 1 – All Saints’ Day – Holy Communion – The Shroud of Death Is Gone – Isaiah 25:6–9; John 11:32-44November 8 – 32nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – Taking Care of Other People’s Business – Ruth 3:1–5,4:13–17; Psalm 127; Mark 12:38–44 November 15 – 33rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – Large Stones, Large Buildings, and Larger Kingdom of God – I Samuel 1:4–20; Psalm 16; Mark 13:1–8 November 22 – Christ the King Sunday – Holy Communion – The King Clothed in the Truth – Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37 November 29 – 1st Sunday in Advent – Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs – Jeremiah 33:14–16; Psalm 25:1–10; Luke 21:25–36 The Advent WalkThis year's Advent Walk will be from 2:00-4:00, Sunday, November 29. The Walk will begin at St. Francis de Sales and then proceed to First Presbyterian, Broadway United Methodist, Grace Episcopal and Washington Street Baptist. There will be a time of fellowship at Washington Street following this annual worship event. The theme of this year's Walk is "Walking Toward the Manger". Please plan to come and join your downtown neighbors in this exciting and meaningful opportunity.PRESBYTERY MEETINGThe presbytery of western Kentucky will have its fall meeting at 10:00, Tuesday, November 10 at the Presbyterian Church in Madisonville. Your pastor and elder Jim Boyd will be the commissioners to that meeting and our Christian education coordinator will be introduced to the presbytery in her new official capacity.Congregational MeetingThe Session has called a congregational meeting for Sunday, November 8 to hear and act on a report from the Church Officer Nominating Committee. At that meeting, the committee will place in nomination the following for service in our congregation: Elder Class of 2012: Steve Durham, Polly Fowler, Jeane Framptom, Tiffany Gust, Jeff Johnson, and Tim Kaltenbach. They will nominate Sandy Meredith as the Trustee for the Class of 2012. The newly elected elders will be trained and then examined by the Session. If the way be clear (very Presbyterian terminology), they will be ordained and/or installed in worship on Sunday, January 10. Please remember in prayer those who have heard God*#39;s call to serve and expressed their willingness to respond to that call by offering themselves.UPCOMING EVENTS…Dec. 6 – 5:30pm Children/Youth Christmas Music and Church Christmas Party BOOK CLUB Meetings are held on the 3rd MONDAY of each month at 7:00 P.M.
September results were positive compared to budget and last year. Year to date results are showing a deficit, but not as much as projected and not as much as last year. I've tried to 'guesstimate' our year end results, and I think where we end up will depend on meeting last year’s pledge income in the fourth quarter. Expenses should be at or slightly below budgeted figures, but we do receive a lot of income (both pledged and unpledged) in the last couple of months and if these amounts fail to materialize we could be looking at budget issues.
Call for Nursery/Toddler VolunteersThe Christian Education Committee is asking for permanent volunteers (12 years and up) for the Nursery and/or Toddler Rooms Sundays during worship. Due to the growing number of children in this age group we need one volunteer to help during Sunday morning worship. We are hoping to gather enough volunteers so each person only has to help one Sunday a quarter. The more help we have the less work it is for someone else. If you are interested in helping out please call the church office and let us know.Western Kentucky Presbytery High School Mission Trip June 12-19, 2010Sandy beaches, quaint shops, historical landmarks are the things that we associate with the Outer Banks of North Carolina. In Hyde County, though, hurricanes and unemployment have led to poverty. Here is an opportunity to serve and restore hurting areas of that community!Who: High School Students (including rising freshmen) What: Travel to the Outer Banks; 4 days serving on work projects and with a Ki'’s Club; nightly activities in the outer banks; worship and devotional time; Whitewater Rafting in the New River Gorge after our mission week is complete, There are 40 spaces available! For more information and to reserve your space contact Hannah immediately. This is a great opportunity for the Youth in our church to get involved and meet other young Presbyterians in our area. We are encouraging all who are interested to participate! Donations for TroopsThe Army/Air Force Provincial Reconstruction Team Kabul Afghanistan would welcome past issues of magazines, especially of interest to men. Also any DVDs you no longer want. In respect for the Afghanistan culture, religious material is not appropriate. A box has been placed in the KEYS room to collect donations.Merryman HouseThere is a donation box in the KEYS/Garden Room for the Merryman House. We are collecting any personal hygiene items (such as shampoo, soap, etc.), diapers, new socks (children or adult) and any size child or adult underwear (new). Also white twin size sheets, blankets, and towels.Yard Sale Success!!!The Service Circle hosted a yard sale in Fellowship Hall on October 10 with fantastic results. We raised just over $800.00 for Bellewood! A big thank you for anyone who donated time or items! We really appreciate how quickly you found donation items and got them to the church! Since this project was so successful we are thinking of having another yard sale in the spring – so start saving your stuff!Twirties, Twirties, TwirtiesOn November 21 we will gather again for Pizza and Bowling. We will meet at Pizza Inn at 6:30 for dinner and then scoot over to Cardinal Lanes for some ten pin. Please let Hannah know you are coming so she can make dinner and lane reservations. Look forward to seeing everyone out to enjoy some pre–holiday fun!PRESBYTERIAN MEN’S PRAYER BREAKFASTThe Men's Prayer Breakfast has proven to be a great success with more men joining us each month. We would really like to have you there for the next one at 6:30am on Wednesday, November 11th at Bob Evans' on Hinkleville Rd. We will share a Dutch treat breakfast and a time of devotion and discussion to offer a midweek respite for your work and leisure. We will be done in time for people to get to work (or play). Please call the church office or turn in a tear–off reservation in the Sunday bulletin so we can have a clue how many seats to set up. We won't card people at the door, so you are welcome to bring non–Presbyterians if you wish.THE JESSE TREEThe Jesse Tree is an ancient church symbol that is rooted in the Isaiah 11:1 passage "a shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots." It reminds believers of the long family lineage of Jesus back through Jesse, the father of David, and to the beginning of the covenants God made with Israel and all Creation. The children of our church are studying the ancestors of our family of faith in their Wonderful Wednesday gatherings and are learning music to share with the whole church in worship during the Sundays of Advent. You might be surprised to learn who's in the family tree. Notice the display case in the Garden Room and watch the tree grow with the symbols of our ancestors. Come to worship each Sunday and find out more about them.THE FELLOWSHIP HALL SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSIn November, the class will continue the study of The God of Second Chances by Erik Kolbell. Looking through scripture at ^quot;re"' words (reconciliation, redemption, resurrection, etc.), each points to a well–recognized biblical theme: Even when our spirits are most weary, God never fails to give us a second chance.Nov. 1 – Ch.9 – Religion Nov. 8 – Ch. 10 – Receiving Nov. 15 – Ch. 11 – Retreat Nov. 22 – Ch. 12 – Revival Beginning on Sunday, November 29, the class will begin a seasonal study, Repentance, Faith, Holiness, and Love: An Advent Study Nov. 29 – Repentance THE SECOND FLOOR VIEWThe adults in the second floor view Sunday School class will continue their journey with the tv show Joan of Arc. This class is always open to newcomers who want to grow old together with the rest of the class.PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
Monday, November 2, 2009 as follows: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DATE | WEE WORSHIP | WEE WORSHIP HELPER | ACOLYTES |
| November 1 | Lisa McClintock | Katy Miller | Bradley Baker |
| Novenber 8 | Donna Carlson | Bradley Baker | Eli Noneman |
| November 15 | Robin Kelly | Haley Massad | James Flynn |
| November 22 | Andee English | Luke Massad | Kye Miller |
| November 29 | Robyn West | Kevin Glass | Joseph Kelly |
| November 1 | Hutch Smith, Martha Emmons, Jon Hoy, Mary Hoy |
| November 8 | Andy Wood, Ted Borodofsky, Bruce Brokenborough, Kyle Miller |
| November 15 | Carl LeBuhn, Jeff Johnson, John Johnson, Steve Durham |
| November 22 | Jim Marvin, Karen Marvin, John McClintock, Lisa McClintock |
| November 29 | Harry Carson, Gene Edwards, George Wiley, Mark Cook |
The Youth Leaders are really enjoying getting to know the Youth in our church. If you are not already regularly coming get that homework done early and come on down for lots of fun and fellowship! On November 8th Youth Group will end at 7:30 due to the movie.
The Youth Leaders will meet November 12th at 6:30 for dinner to plan next winter and spring's events.
A big thank you to all involved with the Pancake Brunch! We raised $450 for our PCM ABC Food Run (to be completed on November 22).
Here’s this month’s schedule of events:
| Date | Leaders | Program | Dinner Family |
| November 1 | Hammonds, Shurley | Game Night | Baker |
| November 8 | Shurley, Wolfrom | Movie Night, Part 1 | Smith |
| November 15 | Wolfrom, Gust | Movie Night, Part 2 | Miller |
| November 22 | All | ABC Food Run | Provided |
| November 29 | Advent Walk – No Youth Group | ||
We’re often reluctant to talk about financial stewardship. We beat around the bush. We stress stewardship of our time and talents and downplay or apologize for even mentioning money. Our sharing of time and talent is extremely important and vital to the success of almost every endeavor in the life of the church, but it takes more than that.
Keeping open the doors of First Presbyterian Church is a very expensive endeavor. The costs are major, totaling several hundred thousand dollars each year. This beautiful, historic building requires a lot of TLC, and TLC can be quite expensive. We have salaries to meet each month, and beyond salaries, there are myriad expenses, too numerous to mention here.
The bottom line is the life of this church; worship, church school, youth activities, music ministry, Bible studies, women's activities, family night suppers, and the list goes on.
A portion of our annual budget goes to Christian efforts beyond the corner of 7th and Jeffersonl Paducah Cooperative Ministry (which counts us as one of its strongest supporters), the campus ministry at Murray State University, support of our theological seminaries, and various others. There are areas where we could do more, but we must have the funds in order for this to happen.
I strongly urge you to give the matter of your financial support of this church serious, prayerful consideration. Consider proportionate giving. Perhaps you could increase your percentage of giving over last yea'’s, and then do the same thing next year. We need to step up to the plate. The expenses of the church do not decline, and they must be met. If each of us were to do our fair, proportionate share, I believe our dilemma would be how to appropriate our excess funds.
I urge you to think, pray, ask questions, increase your giving, and at the same time make a commitment to give of yourself in whatever way is most appropriate for you.